Kelly Turcic will return home after graduating from college to become the new executive director of Northern Mercer County United Way.

Todd Hittle, retiring board president, announced the new executive director’s name during the agency’s annual meeting Wednesday at Thiel College, Greenville.

The West Salem Township woman is to graduate from Mary Washington University in Fredricksburg, Va., and start her new job in early June, Hittle said.

The United Way board hired Miss Turcic Monday, but did not set a salary, Hittle said. About 30 people applied for the post.

Miss Turcic interned for U.S. Rep. Phil English, Erie, R-21st District, and for the mayor of Fredricksburg, Hittle said. While at college, she was active in nonprofit community groups, he said.

Miss Turcic is not the only Greenville-area native returning home to serve the United Way.

The new board president, Brad Gosser, said he chose to come home after traveling overseas. "I began to really appreciate the small town atmosphere. I took for granted the closeness of the people in this community," Gosser said.

Miss Turcic succeeds Diana Huff, who resigned to become executive director of Grove City Area United Way.

In her four years with the Greenville-based United Way, Mrs. Huff brought structure and organization to the group, Hittle said. "We are a better agency than when Diana came on," Hittle said.

In tears and in verse, Mrs. Huff said she appreciated working with the organization toward a common goal.

The United Way in 200-01 raised $232,000, which fell short of the $245,000 goal. The lost of industrial jobs in the area was blamed.

"We were not as successful as we were in past years, but we worked very hard, even harder," Mrs. Huff said.

Mrs. Huff introduced 2000 campaign heads Cris Loutzenhiser and Sue Nicklin. Mrs. Nicklin will chair the 2001 campaign.

Elected to the board for three-year terms were Peggy Volpe and Mrs. Nicklin, and, for two-year terms, Gosser and state Rep. Rod Wilt, Sugar Grove Township, R-17th District.